CRTC: Cable companies can’t make you wait a month to cancel your service

Long-standing practice will be over by January

If you want to cancel your cable, your internet or you phone, Canadian telecommunications companies can’t impose an arbitrary 30-day waiting period, the CRTC says.

The federal regulator released a statement on Thursday, notifying companies that they have until Jan. 23 to end the practice.

“In the same decision, the CRTC is also prohibiting Internet and telephone service providers from requiring that Canadians give 30-days notice prior to cancelling these services,” the statement reads.

Up until now, some companies have requires that anyone wanting to cut their services had to wait up to 30 days to do so. This regulation had already been implemented for cellphones.

“By prohibiting 30-day cancellation policies for television, Internet and telephone (including Voice over Internet Protocol) services, the CRTC has made it easier for individuals and small business customers to take advantage of a competitive marketplace by switching service providers,” the CRTC said.